Free Quebec Porpoise class Attack Submarine:

Before going to war to protect themselves against the Coalition, the
Free Quebec navy consisted of only frigates, destroyers, and cruisers.
This was a serious problem because the Coalition operated both Carriers
and Submarines. It is hoped that the Warrior class carrier will be able
to counter the Coalition carriers but there was a serious underwater threat.
The major problem was diverting large amounts of material for submarine
construction would interfere with their other weapon programs. In addition,
a smaller submarine could be constructed faster. Since reactors could be
constructed much smaller, it facilitated the construction of a smaller
submarine as well. It was decided that a submarine the size of a pre-rifts
diesel electric patrol submarine would be the best.

Various pre-rifts submarine designs were examined and various experts
from the New German Republic were hired outside the German Government and
Triax as consultants. The only real problem was the fact that the design
would have to be developed rapidly as well as having to go into immediate
production before testing. This was necessary due to the large number of
pre-rifts submarines that the Coalition was already operating and might
mean a flawed design. The first series of boats was laid down and within
two months, the first was ready to enter service. Luckily, the design had
no major design flaws. It entered service and has already participated
in the sinking of several Coalition patrol boats. An idea is being considered
to send several of the Porpoise class submarines down to the Gulf of Mexico.
If this design works out as well as evidence seems to be showing, the Coalition
will soon be trailing Free Quebec in submarine warfare. The Porpoise class
submarine is already becoming popular with their crews even though it is
very cramped.

This submarine is surprisingly advanced and is in many ways superior
to the much larger Coalition Orca class submarine. It can operate more
effectively in shallower waters and requires a much smaller crew to operate.
The Free Quebec Porpoise is slightly slower and can dive just as deep as
the Orca and is just as quiet as the Orca was once refitted. Unlike the
Coalition Orca class, the Porpoise is not designed to carry any troops
of other vehicles. The design is innovative in many ways. The hull is much
fatter than might be expected and 24 long range missiles are fitted on
either side outside of the submarines pressure hull. This mounting is similar
to the way some early minelayer submarines carried their mines as well
as how the Russian Oscar class cruise missile submarine carried her cruise
missiles. The ship has four torpedo tubes in the bow and mounts a retractable
laser turret in front of the submarine’s main sail. The sonar systems are
a combination between pre-rifts systems and equipment purchased from the
New German Republic and is slightly longer ranged than the Coalition sonar
systems.

Notes:[1] Destroying the submarines bow planes will reduce the submarine’s
ability to change depths but will not eliminate it. It also makes it difficult
for the submarine’s crew to control the submarine giving a penalty of -25%
to all piloting rolls.
[2] Destroying the submarines Pump Jet Propulsor causes serious problems.
The submarine will no longer be able to use forward momentum and the bow
planes to keep the submarine level. It is recommended that ballast tanks
are immediately blown so submarine comes to surface.
[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the submarine’s
structural integrity, causing it to sink. If the submarine is underwater,
the entire crew will die unless protected by environmental armors that
can withstand the pressure that the submarine is under. If on the surface,
there are enough flotation devices and inflatable life rafts to accommodate
everyone aboard.

Statistical Data:Draft: 17.7 feet (5.4 meters)
Width: 37.7 feet (11.5 meters)
Length: 236.2 feet (72.0 meters)
Displacement: 2,800 tons standard and 3,550 tons submerged
Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 6 tons of nonessential equipment
and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal
items and uniforms. Ships officers have more space for personal items.
Most of the ship’s spaces are taken up by extra torpedoes, weapons, and
engines.
Power System: Nuclear; average energy life of 20 years.
Black Market Price: Not for Sale but costs around 280 million
credits to build. If found and sold on the black market, it would probably
cost 500 to 800 million credits.

Weapon Systems:

Variable Frequency High-Powered Laser Turret (1): The cannon
is mounted in front of the main sail and is fully retractable under concealing
deck plates so that the turret does not disrupt water flow and are useful
both underwater and on the surface. This weapon system is a relatively
simple adaption of the Triax TX-41 Laser pulse rifle which was simply copied
by Free Quebec and mounted into the turret. The turret has the ability
to rotate 360 degrees and have a 90-degree arc of fire. While the weapon
system is rarely call on to use the function, the variable frequency was
retained and the weapon has 13 different possible frequencies to counter
laser resistant armor. Setting seven counters standard USA-10 Glitter Boy materials,
setting thirteen is blue/green and used for underwater settings, and all other
setting are designed to counter other laser resistant materials. The turret
is both radar and infrared guided and has a +5 to hit but due to a lack
of a crew, the weapon system does not have a manual firing setting. Primary
targets for defense laser systems are missiles which are considered to
be one of the biggest threats.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).
Mega Damage: 3D6 for single shot and 1D6x10 for three round
burst.
Rate of Fire:Automated, Can fire up to 6 times per melee.
Payload: Unlimited (Draws Power off the main engines).

Four (4) Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the bow of the submarine
are four torpedo tubes. Tubes are 21 inches (533 mm) wide and torpedoes
can be used against both surface ships and submarines. For warheads, heavy
torpedoes should be treated as having long missile warheads. Along with
standard torpedoes, the launcher can also fire missiles in special canisters
and rocket boosted ASW torpedoes. The sub carries 20 reloads for torpedoes.
Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (34.8 nautical miles / 64 km) for torpedoes.
Mega Damage: By Heavy torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details), can fire missiles (Long Range or Cruise) in special canisters as well (See
revised
bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2), three (3), or four (4) torpedoes. The
launchers can fire up to four volleys per melee due to automated reloading
system
Payload: 4 Total (Has 20 torpedoes for reloads)

Twenty-Four (24) Vertical Launch Long Range Missile Launchers: One
the sides of the submarine are twenty-four long range missile launchers
that launch upwards. These launchers are mounted outside of the submarines
pressure hull so they do not reduce internal volume. Missiles are launched
in special canisters that enable the missiles to be used in depths down
to 300 feet. Most missiles normally carried are fusion (Also smart missiles).
Maximum Effective Range: As per long range missile type (Go to
revised
bomb and missile tables for details.)
Mega Damage: As per long range missile type (Go to
revised
bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Missiles can be fired one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), twelve (12), or
twenty-four (24) missiles and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.
Payload: 24 missiles total. Submarine carries no reloads.

Noisemakers: The submarine carries noisemakers to decoy torpedoes.
The noisemakers are launched from the middle of the submarine.
Effect: 50% of decoying normal torpedoes and 20% of decoying smart torpedoes.
Rate of Fire: 2 at a time (Can be reloaded in one melee)
Payload: 20 Noisemakers

Special Systems:The submarine has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the
following special features:

Extended Life Support: This submarine has an enhanced like support
system when compared to most other vehicles because it is designed to operate
underwater for extended periods of time. The submarine has an incredible
air recycling system that allows the crew to recycle air for six months
before the atmosphere is too stale to breathe. The submarine also has a
96 hour supply of oxygen to support the recycling system.

Advanced Hull Sonar System: Sonar system has a range of around 55
nautical miles (63.3 miles / 101.8 km). This hull sonar system has both
a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 24 targets
at one time and has a +10% to read sensor and weapon system skill rolls.

Advanced Towed Array Sonar: The system is basically a long and very
sensitive sonar system carried behind the submarine on a long cable. Sonar
system has a range of around 120 nautical miles (138.1 miles/222.2 km).
This towed array Sonar is a passive only sensor system. Sonar system can
track up to 48 targets at one time.

ESM: This system is mounted in the sail and
is extended in a similar manner to a periscope. The antenna is very hard
to detect both visually and by radar. The system can detect another radar system at around 125% of the
range of the transmitting radar, subject to radar horizon.

Quieted Propulsion and Anechoic Coating: The boat is designed with
a very quiet pump jet propulsor design, the submarine’s reactor makes very
little noise, and the submarine is covered by a sonar defeating rubber
coating. The submarine is -50% to detect when traveling at less than 20
knots and is at -30% to detect when traveling at speeds greater than that.